States » EastPosted at: Oct 3 2026 3:48PM


CM Majhi urges investors, hospitality brands to tap Odisha’s vast tourism potential

Bhubaneswar, Oct 3 (UNI) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday made a strong pitch for investment in the state’s tourism sector, inviting investors, hospitality brands and tourism partners from India and abroad to tap Odisha’s vast natural, cultural and heritage wealth.
Addressing the seventh edition of the Odisha Travel Bazaar here, Majhi said the state was creating a strong investment ecosystem to transform Odisha into a major global tourism destination while giving a new identity to its tourism sector.
He called upon all stakeholders to join hands with the government to develop Odisha as an ideal destination and a paradise for tourists.
Highlighting the incentives under the new tourism policy, the Chief Minister said the minimum room requirement for star hotels had been reduced from 50 to 10, while the ceiling for capital subsidy had been raised from Rs 20 crore to a maximum of Rs 120 crore.
The government has also approved Rs 1,500 crore for developing quality tourism infrastructure during 2026-2031 and created a massive land bank spread over 5,500 acres to facilitate the construction of new hotels and resorts across the state, he said.
Majhi said tourist safety and hospitality were receiving top priority, announcing a series of measures to make destinations across Odisha safer and more visitor-friendly.
A Tourist Police system is being introduced at 29 major tourist destinations, while 1,000 trained lifeguards will be deployed under the Odisha State Water and Aquatic Life-saving Initiative (OSWALI) to strengthen safety at beaches and water-sports destinations, he said.
Destination managers will also be appointed at places witnessing large tourist footfalls, the Chief Minister added.
Appealing to the people of Odisha to extend warm hospitality to visitors, Majhi said tourists and devotees visiting the state must be treated with due respect in keeping with the Jagannath culture’s core principle of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’.
Such hospitality, he said, would encourage visitors to become true brand ambassadors of Odisha.
“In the age of social media, even a single unpleasant incident can spread at lightning speed,” Majhi said, urging all sections of society to work together to create and promote a safe, pleasant and memorable experience for tourists visiting the state.
Highlighting Odisha’s natural and cultural wealth, Majhi said the state possessed almost every kind of natural beauty found on earth, except deserts.
He said Odisha was endowed with world-renowned heritage monuments such as the Sri Jagannath Temple and Konark Sun Temple, besides a 575-km-long natural coastline, the world-famous mangrove forests of Bhitarkanika, Asia’s largest brackish-water lagoon Chilika and the Hirakud reservoir.
The Chief Minister said Odisha’s tourism sector was being strengthened in line with the Developed Odisha Vision 2036-2047 roadmap.
Local artisans, tourist guides and tour operators were being equipped with modern digital skills to make tourists’ journeys more convenient, enriching and memorable, he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said the government was creating a strong and enabling ecosystem for sustainable tourism to generate employment and promote skill development.
Tourism should become a strong contributor to the state’s economy, Parida said, adding that adventure tourism was an important component of Odisha’s tourism offerings and efforts were underway to further strengthen the segment.
Former Indian cricket captain and legendary cricketer Kapil Dev, who attended the event, highlighted the role of sports in the development and global recognition of a country.
Countries earn global recognition through their sports and sportspersons, while India was progressing rapidly in the sporting arena, he said.
Kapil Dev particularly highlighted Odisha’s contribution to the promotion of Indian hockey and said the state had played a major role in taking the sport forward.
Odisha, he said, would in the coming days emerge not only as a major tourism destination but also as a leading sports hub of India.
During the event, Majhi launched several projects and portals and unveiled a special coffee-table book titled ‘Pitha, Mitha Pana’.
The new Odisha Tourism Portal was launched to promote tourism in the state, while the web application of the Odisha Tourism Investment Incentive Management System was introduced to facilitate investors.
The Chief Minister also unveiled the jersey for the upcoming Puri Coastal Marathon.
UNI DP
Tags: #CM Majhi urges investors# hospitality brands to tap Odisha’s vast tourism potential
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